Federal investigators charged 48‑year‑old Jason Watford of Tyler, Texas, with murder after a woman was found dead in a cabin on the MSC Seascape cruise ship. The incident occurred while the vessel was sailing from Galveston to the Caribbean.
Details of the alleged crime
According to an FBI affidavit, Watford told agents that an argument with the woman began at a shipboard restaurant and continued in their cabin, where he “snapped.” He allegedly struck the woman multiple times and choked her for four to five minutes before releasing his grip because he was “exhausted.”
The woman remained motionless on the floor for about ten minutes before a housekeeper entered the cabin, observed blood on Watford’s hands and clothing, and called ship security. Surveillance video shows Watford entering the cabin at 7:46 p.m., the victim arriving about 25 minutes later, and Watford leaving the cabin at 9:15 p.m. wearing a different shirt and pants.
Arrest and legal proceedings
Watford was taken into custody the morning after the ship returned to Galveston. He made his initial federal court appearance on Tuesday in Galveston and is being held in a county jail. His public defender, Javier Martinez, declined comment. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.
A man who identified himself as Watford’s son declined to comment when contacted. The relationship between Watford and the victim was not disclosed by investigators.
Ship’s response and next steps
MSC Cruises confirmed that authorities instructed the vessel to return to Galveston and said the company is cooperating with the investigation and providing support to those affected. The ship resumed its voyage later Monday afternoon.
The Galveston Medical Examiner’s Office indicated an autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday. Homicide investigations on cruise ships are rare; earlier this year a teenager faced murder and aggravated sexual abuse charges for a death on a Carnival Cruise ship departing from Florida.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
